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The Town of Glenville has fired officer Michael Kendall.
Kendall had been working in the town office with pay after he was involved in a shooting
incident on March 7.
During a lengthy executive session of the town council this week, a motion passed to
dismiss the officer.
Mayor Brian Kennedy was quoted saying "We felt it was in the city's best interest to
terminate Kendall's employment. We are ready to move forward now..."
The Glenville Democrat said "It would not be a stretch of the imagination to suppose that
most Glenville residents are glad that this long civic nightmare is over." The paper said
Glenville residents were outraged when Kendall was placed on suspension with pay.
Officer Kendall engaged in a high-speed chase with 20-year-old Kevin Tingler, who he
suspected was drinking. Kendall claims Tingler attempted to run him down after the
vehicles went into a yard, at which time the officer fired a shot to defend himself.
Tingler contends he did not try to run over the officer, that the officer drew his weapon
and attempted to shoot him "straight on." Officer Kendall has been charged with
attempted second-degree murder. He is set for trial on eight other felony counts and a
misdemeanor.
The West Virginia State Police mobile crime lab has investigated the shooting
incident.
The Clarksburg Exponent said Kendall, a graduate of the West Virginia Police Academy,
had resigned from the Clarksburg Police Department amid dismissal proceedings, before
he was hired last year in Glenville.
Reports were circulating in Glenville that residents had been complaining about the
behavior of the officer. Mayor Richmond told The Herald "We get complaints about
almost every officer," indicating it goes with the job.
In Patrolman Kendall's case, the mayor said "No one came forward to make it official."
Richmond was not re-elected during the last town election.
Civil actions are also pending.
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